Oil Hardened Dowel Pins, Metric Sizes
What Are Oil Hardened Dowel Pins?
Oil hardened dowel pins are precision ground locating pins that are heat treated by oil quenching, producing uniform hardness through the entire cross section of the pin rather than a hardened surface layer over a softer core. This through hardening means the pin retains consistent hardness even if it is later reground or lightly reworked, which makes it a common choice for tooling, jigs, and fixtures that see repeated use or occasional refinishing.
Like other dowel pins, they are ground to a tight tolerance for a controlled press or slip fit and are used to locate and align mating parts, maintain repeatable positioning between assemblies, and carry shear loads between components.
Key Features and Benefits
- Uniform Through Hardness: consistent hardness across the full cross section, not just the surface.
- Regrind Friendly: holds its hardness even after light regrinding or rework.
- Precision Ground Diameter: sized for a controlled press or slip fit in a reamed hole.
- Reliable Locating and Alignment: maintains repeatable positioning between mating parts.
- Wear Resistant: suited to fixtures and tooling that see repeated insertion and removal.
Materials and Finishes
- Oil Hardened Tool Steel: through hardened for uniform wear resistance.
- Ground Finish: precision ground to a tight diameter tolerance.
Standards Compliance
- DIN 6325, Parallel pins, hardened
Size Range and Availability
Available in a full metric dowel pin size range, sold individually or in bulk quantities.
Related Categories and Products
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does "oil hardened" mean for a dowel pin?
It means the pin was heat treated by oil quenching, which hardens the material uniformly through the entire cross section rather than just at the surface.
2. How is an oil hardened dowel pin different from a case hardened dowel pin?
An oil hardened pin has consistent hardness all the way through, while a case hardened pin has a hardened outer layer over a softer core. Through hardening holds up better if the pin is reground later.
3. When should I choose an oil hardened dowel pin over a standard dowel pin?
Choose an oil hardened pin for tooling, jigs, or fixtures that will see repeated wear, occasional regrinding, or high locating loads where uniform hardness matters.
4. What fit is used for oil hardened dowel pins?
Like standard dowel pins, they are precision ground for a controlled press or slip fit in a reamed hole, depending on the application.
5. Can oil hardened dowel pins carry shear loads?
Yes, dowel pins are commonly used to carry shear loads between mating parts in addition to their locating function.
6. What sizes are available?
We stock a full metric dowel pin size range, available individually or in bulk quantities.
